Calcium Pills

[MustangAli 9]

I take the costco brand Calcium. They make me sick if I dont eat enough food with them. I have to eat a little, take the pills and then eat the rest of my food or else I end up puking.

At my last appointment, I was told it is ok to take 3 pills with each meal cause sometimes "lunch" just doesnt happen. Yesterday I took 2 calcium pills and a multi and just ate a boiled egg. I was fine. Today I took 3 calcium and a multi and ate a big salad. I was not able to even make it to the trash can and vomited all over my floor.

About 30 minutes before I ate I did run a mile at a local high school is it is 90 degrees here in Cali. I felt sick when I got home, but more like, my chest hurt and I felt dizzy and light headed. So, Im not sure if that contributed.

I just recently changed jobs and lost my benefits so I really dont have anyone else to turn to right now...

What calcium pills have you noticed DONT make you sick? Or are chewables or liquids better? Or do I just need a higher quality??

Any/all responses are appreciated!!

Ali

[RickM 1,753]

I haven't had any particular problem with them, but that's just part of the variations between us all, and there are options. I have been using the Bariatric Advantage chewables since surgery and they work well, but I also take the standard Citracal pills when I travel. I also have some Citracal gummies that I have used off and on as well. If possible, you should be using Calcium citrate as that provides better absorption with our altered stomachs - I don't know what type of Calcium the costco ones are but calcium carbonate, which is the most common type since it's cheapest, is the least desirable form.

There are some gummy/chewable calcium supplements that costco sells, and the Viactiv brand is similar, but they are the less desirable carbonate form, but may be worth a try if others don't work - my wife uses them (the Target brand version, but they're all similar) because she has a hard time tolerating the more desirable citrate form.

How much calcium is in each of your pills? We shouldn't be taking more than 5-600mg at a time as that's about as much as our bodies can absorb, so we need to space out our calcium supplements to 2 or 3 times a day depending on how much we need to supplement. Also, does your Multivitamin contain Iron, as many do? If so, then you need to space out your calcium by a couple of hours since Iron and calcium compete for absorption in the body.

Doesn't this get delightfully complicated? Thankfully it gets better as time goes on and we can get more nutrition from real food instead of pills.

[ab76307 22]

I use viactic it's chewy and tastes like chocolate so I feel like I'm getting a treat!

[meggspeggs 0]

They have carmel ones and vanilla ones too...yummy!!!

[Foxbins 625]

Viactiv is Calcium carbonate and poorly absorbed in our acid-reduced stomachs. At costco.com, you can buy a liquid calcium citrate that actually tastes good and I have heard that Whole Foods also sells a liquid. vitacost.com has calcium citrate chewables that are really sweet, but not too chalky. Celebrate sells the Calcet Lemon Bites--high in carbs if you are watching them, kind of expensive, but calcium citrate and not bad-tasting. I can't stomach any of my Vitamins or supplements without food except the liquid calcium. I eat a couple bites, take the pill, take a small swallow of Water, take another bite. I was hoping to swallow the Citracal Petites by now (nine months post-op) but they don't consistently stay down and I hate vomitting.

Keep trying! You will find something that works for you.

[Jinjin 21]

I use the costco brand too, and feel the same way after. Even when taking B1 pills. I showed my Nut the costco brand Calcium pills and she said they R perfect in everything we need. I have tried bariatric chews and still feel naseated after? I def. Have to have something in my stomach while taking my Vitamins : /

[immeagain 4]

I take Caltrate Plus chewables, almost taste like a tums. Not bad at all. I would check with your doctor because the one Vitamin you are not supposed to take with the Calcium is your multi because of the Iron in it. It doesn't absorb as well or something. I also know that taking the calcium with meals is best because the Protein helps with the absorption into your body.

Good luck!